WHAT: the Occupy Wall Street (Inter) National Gathering: decolonize the 99%. It’s the second annual gathering of the Occupy movement and allies—the first was in Philadelphia June 30 to July 5, 2012. We promise a full-bodied 5-day event with emphasis on the colonization of this country by corporations—an important public event with creative activism, parades, and, most importantly, the People being heard. NatGat2 is a place for the movement of affinity to regroup, debrief, and regain strength after the brutal crack-downs on the encampments in 2011 and targeted legislative repression and unprecedented spying by NSA on US persons.

WHEN: August 21-25, 2013

WHY: A fundamental right, essential to a representative government, is the right to peacefully gather to petition the government for redress of grievances. We activists are still working for a better world. Dozens of active Occupys and allies have endorsed and will be sending representatives. Hundreds of Occupys all over the United States and from around the globe—e.g. Occupy San Francisco to Occupy Sandy to Occupy Sydney, Australia—will gather in solidarity and share strategies to strengthen the global network that was born in Zuccotti Park on September 17, 2011.

WHERE: The City of Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. Where will they sleep? Sleepful Protests in Public Spaces is our custom; it is legal in Kalamazoo. However, there are other options. The Lamplighter Inn in Comstock on the border of Kalamazoo will be our #1 site in the evenings. (They say it’s haunted!)

*UPDATE: The Venue for the Natational gathering has changed. Most activities will now take place at the Kalamazoo Peace Center at the Wesley Foundation, 2101 Wilbur St.

WHAT will be accomplished? NatGat strives to be decisive, each day will end with a General Assembly on the subject of the day, then a draft, will be turned over to writers to turn into art to be posted and published shortly after.

3 Comments

A fundamental right, essential to a representative government, is the right to peacefully gather to petition the government for redress of grievances.

NatGat2 is a place for the movement of affinity to regroup, debrief, and regain strength after the brutal crack-downs on the encampments in 2011 and targeted legislative repression and unprecedented spying by NSA on US persons.

Activism works! - 'In its story about the president’s aborted plan to offer Social Security cuts in his 2011 State of the Union address, the Wall Street Journal also explained why it didn’t happen: “The decision to hold off was made as the White House came under pressure from Democrats and liberal interest groups who oppose any cuts to Social Security benefits.” - Those various groups were representing the view of a majority of Americans across the political spectrum. For some publications the American people are nothing more than an “interest group.” - The public hates Social Security cuts and wants to expand it instead.'

This is very important news! 'A fundamental right, essential to a representative government, is the right to peacefully gather to petition the government for redress of grievances. We activists are still working for a better world.' Social Security is right up there with all the issues confronting the 99%.